#1. YA 2022 Recap
YA In-Person Events
As the year 2022 comes to an end, we're reflecting back on a year that was a busy one! Let’s take a look at some of YA’s biggest highlights.
Roundtable event
Let’s start off with the Roundtable Event. We engaged with companies such as PWC, MFAT, NZTE, Faceton, Alpha Group and United Media Solution to discuss the future of recruitment in NZ and China. Our professionals addressed what is currently impacting job recruitment currently, and how best to stand out. It was such a success that we'll be holding another roundtable event in early 2023. Please follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more details soon!
Read more about the Roundtable here!
NZCTA YA x Han Culture Club Tea Tasting Event
In November the YA collaborated with the University of Auckland Han Culture Club, providing a tea tasting ceremony and a Hanfu Constume fitting. There were six different teas on offer, and it was a rewarding afternoon, learning and experiencing traditional Chinese tea culture.
Future Taniwha: 'Opportunities for NZ’s emerging leaders to engage on China’
The YA co-hosted an event in August with the North Asia Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence (North Asia CAPE), New Zealand China Council, and the Asia New Zealand Foundation where more than 90 young professionals and senior university students attended the event. It was an incredible evening, with John Key as the guest speaker!
Read more about the Future Taniwha Event here!
Zoom Into China
Our webinar series continued into 2022 after much success throughout the last couple of years. This year we hosted three fantastic Zoom into China sessions, featuring amazing speakers. We delved into Ecommerce & Trade in a Covid Age with Pier Smulders (Alibaba) and Olivia Shen (OS Consulting), Intergenerational Changes & Chances in China Part 1 with Jerry Clode (The Solution), and Intergenerational Changes & Chances in China Part 2 with Eric Yu (United Media Solutions).
A reminder that the recordings of any YA online events can be accessed through Patreon by becoming a member here.
YA Connect
This is our third year of YA Connect, and it has gone from strength to strength each year. Our intention with the program is to help young professionals gain valuable advice and industry-specific knowledge from experts, and we're excited to match up our successful applicants this year with advisors once again!
“YA Connect is a great opportunity for Advisors and Advisees as a two-way exchange focused on New Zealand and China growth opportunities.” - Alex Worker (Advisor in the YA Connect Program)
Keep an eye out for our next round in 2023!
#2. 2022 Committee Farewells
2022 was an ever-changing year, and we saw six committee members wrap up their time with the YA for the next stage in their lives and careers. Below you can read farewell messages from some of the committee members, some of whom have now moved onto working with various China related organisations, are currently working in China or are intending to return to study! Thank you, and we will miss you all!
Drew: I joined the committee to deepen my engagement with other young people interested in the NZ-China space and pay it forward by contributing to an organisation that had delivered events and experiences that I had personally benefitted from. That's exactly what I found - a community of passionate, hard-working individuals from a range of backgrounds who all came together to share knowledge and opportunities with the YA network. The experience was fantastic: awesome people, great learnings, and rewarding effort.
Bob: As a Chinese who has lived in the States and New Zealand for the last 10+ years, I always wanted to be a part of an organisation that connects where I am originally from and where I live. YA had more than that. YA not only gave the opportunities to plan and organise events that create positive impacts in the NZ-China space, but also provided a place where like-minded young professionals meet. I was fortunate to work with amazing people in diverse teams and make friends from my one-and-a-half years at the YA. On top of all these, the experience also helped to grow my leadership and many other transformable skills.
Logan: I have loved being part of the YA committee over the past year and above all, the people I met along the way truly made this experience for me. Being relatively new to Auckland when I first joined the YA introduced me to like-minded people with similar interests, many of whom have left an indelible mark. Alongside this, it has been great being involved in and promoting opportunities within the New Zealand-China sphere - a space I’m super interested in but am not exposed to in my day-to-day job. The YA provides massive value for young professionals and I look forward to following the team’s future endeavours into 2023. All the best!
Only: It was an extraordinary journey for me, being with YA from 2021 to 2022! There were so many likeminded people, passionate teammates, creative ideas, openminded attitudes and a great cultural bridge. I deeply appreciate all of the valuable experiences I have gained and shared. I have enjoyed being part of the YA team and working alongside the excellent people over the past year. So excited and looking forward to seeing the new things the team do next!
Shiquan: I really enjoyed my time with the YA for many reasons, but most importantly was meeting new friends that were likeminded, and contributing to the inspiring topics and ideas for events within the NZ-China space. Something I want to note for international students or professionals new to New Zealand, is that the YA is a great opportunity to experience and integrate into the local workspace! Give it a try next recruitment round!
#3. 2022 Committee Recruitment
After a gripping round of recruitment in July, we were delighted to welcome seven new committee members! Kelly, Judy, Christopher, Chaoxin, Kadin, Zach, and Wesley bring great ideas and enthusiasm to the YA whānau. While we may be closing the curtains over Christmas break, please look forward to the remarkable initiatives and events our energised and refreshed team has in store for 2023!